Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their contributions. I understand this is a very important issue for the structures of local government, but there is no such thing as business as usual for Waterford city. The economic situation in Waterford city has not been good for some time, particularly in the centre of the city. Waterford County Council developed commercial facilities close to the boundary of Waterford city which, unfortunately from a planning point of view, were allowed. Many of the businesses in the centre of Waterford city went into decline. This is the type of irresponsible planning which has happened in Waterford and which was replicated in several other places. The rows at local level about boundary extensions pale into insignificance when one sees what neighbouring authorities in the same county have done to each other.

I am surprised that Senator Cullinane is concerned about reducing the number of local authorities when his own party in Northern Ireland has proposed a reduction from 28 councils to seven. He is not consistent with his party's policy of local government reform in Northern Ireland, but that is not unusual.

Significant savings of €6 million will accrue from the merger of Waterford city and county. These will be used for essential services, including implementing the people's business. There will be a one-off establishment cost for any merger. The same position will apply in Limerick. These figures have been verified, not by me, but by Grant Thornton, a reputable accountancy firm in this city that, before the decisions were made, we asked to determine what the financial benefits for the city and county of Waterford would be.

Senator Cullinane has to raise the hare about county boundaries and Ferrybank, but he can see that I am not neglecting Ferrybank. I opened and provided the necessary finance for the library facility, which the Senator never sought. I do not believe that anyone else sought it either, but we provided an essential service for the people of south Kilkenny in Ferrybank. Senator Walsh must put up with the fact that most of his businesses are in the jurisdiction of the planning authority of Kilkenny County Council rather than New Ross, but it is a thriving business because it is in the area with the lowest commercial rates in the country. He would not move out of Kilkenny unless it was of significant advantage to his business, even though he loves New Ross.

This is the way business is. People are not sentimental about where they go in business. They go somewhere because of the bottom line. Businesses must survive. I am sure that Senator Wilson would agree as regards Clones and the far side of the Border. Indeed, Border areas are the best examples. We must view structures differently in the 21st century, but I am a county colours person.